IT and Society: EU’s rules on user protection from anonymous spam come into force

May 25, 2011 the European Union adopted new telecoms rules, which clarify that any advertising message, distributed through telecoms networks, like an e-mail or SMS, must include full information on the company, which advertises its services. All commercial emails advertising web sites without full information about the company are now illegal.

In case this rule is violated the message will be considered illegal and both spam recipients and any companies which find that their competitors are using unfair methods of advertising will have a right to take measures against it.

What is more, the new rules require telecoms operators and internet service providers take strong security measures to protect user personal data. The new rules also require operators, if security is breached or personal data is lost or stolen, to inform the data protection authorities and their customers without undue delay.

The taken measures are called for struggle against cookies-spies, new rules give Internet users the right to be better informed about data stored and accessed in their computer, smartphone or other devices connected to the Internet.